Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is useful for the average reader interested in the phenomenon of digital activism, as well as digital activists like myself. . . . [T]his comprehensive guide to the growing phenomenon that is digital activism will allow us to closely examine our work, our methods and our goals. . . . –Esra a Al Shafei, Director, Mideast Youth

This is excellent work and certainly a much needed contribution. I am glad that someone is writing a serious and an academically neutral piece on digital activism. –Helmi Noman, Researcher, OpenNet Initiative

I hope and expect that this book will inspire the next generation of activist researchers to test the boundaries of their knowledge in a digitally engaged practice that has fairness and justice as its ethical core. –Dan McQuillan, Founder, internet.artizans and Social Innovation Camp

Product Description

The media have recently been abuzz with cases of citizens around the world using digital technologies to push for social and political change from the use of Twitter to amplify protests in Iran and Moldova to the thousands of American nonprofits creating Facebook accounts in the hopes of luring supporters. These stories have been published, discussed, extolled, and derided, but the underlying mechanics of this practice of digital activism are little understood. This new field, its dynamics, practices, misconceptions, and possible futures are presented together for the first time in Digital Activism Decoded. Topics include: how to think about digital activism: the digital activism environment: infrastructure, social, political, and economic factors: digital activism practices: two research perspectives and the danger of destructive activism: digital activism s value: balancing optimism and pessimism: building the future of digital activism.